Policy Text
Policy
1027Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentDepartment Badges - 1Department Badges
1027.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Garden Grove Police Department badge and uniform patch as well as the likeness of these
items and the name of the Garden Grove Police Department are property of the Department and
their use shall be restricted as set forth in this policy.
1027.2 POLICY
The uniform badge shall be issued to department members as a symbol of authority and the use
and display of department badges shall be in strict compliance with this policy. Only authorized
badges issued by this department shall be displayed, carried or worn by members while on duty
or otherwise acting in an official or authorized capacity.
1027.2.1 FLAT BADGE
Sworn officers, with the written approval of the Chief of Police may purchase, at his/her own
expense, a flat badge capable of being carried in a wallet. The use of the flat badge is subject to
all the same provisions of department policy as the uniform badge.
(a)Should the flat badge become lost, damaged, or otherwise removed from the officer’s
control, he/she shall make the proper notifications as outlined in the Department
Owned and Personal Property Policy.
(b)An honorably retired officer may keep his/her flat badge upon retirement.
(c)The purchase, carrying or display of a flat badge is not authorized for non-sworn
personnel.
1027.2.2 NON-SWORN PERSONNEL
Badges and department identification cards issued to non-sworn personnel shall be clearly marked
to reflect the position of the assigned employee (e.g. Community Service Officers, Cadet).
(a)Non-sworn personnel shall not display any department badge except as a part of
his/her uniform and while on duty, or otherwise acting in an official and authorized
capacity.
(b)Non-sworn personnel shall not display any department badge or represent him/herself,
on or off duty, in such a manner which would cause a reasonable person to believe
that he/she is a sworn peace officer.
1027.2.3 RETIREE UNIFORM BADGE
Upon honorable retirement employees may purchase his/her assigned duty badge for display
purposes. It is intended that the duty badge be used only as private memorabilia as other uses of
the badge may be unlawful or in violation of this policy.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Department Badges
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentDepartment Badges - 21027.3 UNAUTHORIZED USE
Except as required for on-duty use by current employees, no badge designed for carry or display in
a wallet, badge case or similar holder shall be issued to anyone other than a current or honorably
retired peace officer.
Department badges are issued to all sworn employees and non-sworn uniformed employees for
official use only. The department badge, shoulder patch or the likeness thereof, or the department
name shall not be used for personal or private reasons including, but not limited to, letters,
memoranda, and electronic communications such as electronic mail or web sites and web pages.
The use of the badge, uniform patch and department name for all material (printed matter, products
or other items) developed for department use shall be subject to approval by the Chief of Police.
Employees shall not loan his/her department badge or identification card to others and shall not
permit the badge or identification card to be reproduced or duplicated.
1027.4 PERMITTED USE BY EMPLOYEE GROUPS
The likeness of the department badge shall not be used without the expressed authorization of
the Chief of Police and shall be subject to the following:
(a)The employee associations may use the likeness of the department badge for
merchandise and official association business provided they are used in a clear
representation of the association and not the Garden Grove Police Department. The
following modifications shall be included:
1.The text on the upper and lower ribbons is replaced with the name of the
employee association.
2.The badge number portion displays the acronym of the employee association.
(b)The likeness of the department badge for endorsement of political candidates shall
not be used without the expressed approval of the Chief of Police.
1027.5 PHOTOGRAPHIC ID
All employees are issued a photographic identification card and if applicable a badge. Employees
shall carry their badges, if applicable, and identification cards on their persons at all times, except
when impractical or dangerous to their safety or to an investigation. They shall furnish their name
and badge number to any person requesting that information, except when the withholding of such
information is necessary for the performance of police duties, or is authorized by proper authority.
Personnel, whenever possible and practical, should present their identification and badge when
a request to view the identification has been made. This is to ensure the public can be certain the
person they are dealing with is an employee of the Police Department.
Additionally, all employees will verbally identify themselves as being a member of the Garden
Grove Police Department when talking to citizens over the telephone, except in cases the verbal
identification would jeopardize an ongoing police investigation.